Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAIIA DAILY BEE : SUDAY , < TUNE 23 , 1805.
TWI1S BOYS AND TWIN BEARS.
[ ] An Adventure Near Pcnrl River Over a
/ ' Hundred Yo trso. .
I If" * " > P * * Jl f ' ' i IWM * . > l > MU 1 I IIIP. . J < ! Jl- 1 _ BM < > II. MV * MM B Jl I I
About 100 years ago the Indiana ot the re
gion between Tennessee and Louisiana made
ft treaty with our government at Washing
ton by which A road vas to be kept open
and free through the wlldcrncM , ferryboats
were to bo maintained at the stream crossIngs -
Ings and Inn ) or lodging houics erected at
convenient Intervals along the way , and the
Indians agreed to protect our mall carriers
and travelers passing to and fro.
This road , which really extended from
Nashville , Tcnn. , to New Orleans , was not a
fine highway like the good thoroughfares we
now have ; Indeed , It would appear to ut ,
If we could sco It , merely as a route marked
jut by "blazes" or peeled spots on the trees ,
a few rude log bridges and cord du rol cause
ways , and here and thcro the marks of
horses' feet and the dim tracks of ox-wains.
A nun named Fletcher Ellis , fear
less and In love with frontier life , set
tled on the east bank of Pearl river , at a
point where a branch of the treaty road
ctoctcd. , Later ho became the master of
the ferry and keeper of an Inn. Ills house
itood at the water's brink on a slight swell
ot the marshy ground , nnd behind It the
forest was almost Impenetrably dense. The
road such as It was passeJ bJtwoen the wood
and river beyond which stretched away for
miles on open prairie or marsh meadow.
Ellis was a widower and had for family
two eons , who were twins , 1C ycarp old
The three lived together very happily , their
pleasure depending chlclly upon hunting In
the den > e jungle and fishing In the river.
Few guesta came to their rude Inn. Once or
twlco a month a government agent or a
mall carrier stopped for a meal and some
supplies or ptaycl over night , and now
and again came a venturesome settler with
his family and his negro slaves going Into
Louisiana. At Irregular Intervals a small
vessel ascended the river bringing the gov
ernment supplies , and sometimes a ban ! ot
friendly Indians would encamp hard by.
The twin boys , Robert and Hawkins Ellis ,
were cxnert riflemen ; each owned a long ,
slender , flintlock gun , which shot a bullet
weighing Just the ont'-hundredth part of a
pound , and It was their beaut that each
"bullet was worth a buck , " which meant
that they were good marksmen and never
wasted a shot.
Ono foggy morning late In February Rob-
ON THE TRAIL.
ert and Hawkins shouldered their gims an
went Into the Jungle. Each of them ha
measured six charges of powder In his powdc
horn and MX bullets In hlx ottcrekln poucl
It was their purpose to kill a buck or tw
for "venison , " as deer meat was called b
our pioneers.
They had penetrated the Jungle to th
distance of a mile or moro when the
reached a spot which they had never bcfot
found , a small knoll covered with a thlc
growth of magnolia trees , and here the
discovered "bear signs. " The ground wo
broken In places as If swine had been root
Ing there , and tracks were plentiful. Of rours
the hunter's Instinct , to call It that , maO
the boys forget everything In a moment sav
there desire to Investigate bruin's pcrforn
ances.
Wary and cautious , knowing what dang <
might befall them , they began to study tli
tracks and trace them Into the magnoll
thicket. But extreme prudence In this caj
degenerated Into something which prcclp
tated a most thrilling experience at a m <
ment when the boys were wholly unpreparc
for It.
So thick was the wood that grow on tli
highest part of the knoll It forced the youn
hunters to go upon their hands and kne <
for a considerable distance. Suddenly , wlie
they reached the foot of a tall , hello
stump , they saw before them , under the
very noses , as we say , two cub bears , llttl
fellows , dark , glossy and as plump as plum
sleeping side by side In a great hollow of tl
stump's base.
The boys wore still on their hands an
knees , and this sudden discovery , made 1
parting the undergrowth before their face
sent a chill down their backs ; for they ;
pnco realized their helplessness , should or
or both ot the parent bears come upo
them. How could they use their long rifle
In a place so close ? Their vision was lln
Ited to a space scarcely largo , enough to tur
ibout In , and brush and branches presse
upon them from all sides ; moreover , tl
thick foliage overhead made the air dusk ;
like late evening twilight.
And just at this point of time a shor
gruff voice behind them , a cry between
inert and a growl , chilled their blood an
stiffened the hair under their caps. Ni
that they were cowards ; they had brave !
faced many fierce enemies ; but the rouf
ind merciless rchool of pioneer experlenc
had taught them to know danger , and no
they felt helpless , If not hopeless.
Both the parent bears , being up the wlr
from the boys , scented an Intrusion upc
their homo rights , and rushed to the defem
of their precious cubs. Largo and clumi
as bears appear , they are neither slow m
unaglle ; at need , they can show surprlslr
nlmblcness and quickness. In a few secam
they were upon our young friends ; and , win
made It moro alarming , they came from a
most opposite directions.
Ono thing could always be confidently v
peeled of boys llko the twins In a case 111
this. They would act almost Instantly , nr
both together. Experience and training hi
developed In them the promptness and ci
crgy At wild animals. Like two frlghte
cqulrrels they scampered up Into the nearc
tree , ono after the other , leaving their gui
lying side by side on the ground. This tn
chanced to bo In a small open , space.
Now , It happened that the bears were t
good climbers as tie boys , and they fo
lowed , scrambling up the tree with vlgoroi
snarling ; the foremopt one close at Robert
heels. In a desperate mood the boys eac
clutched the first bough that offered , an
crawled far out , one on the-left tide of it
tree , the other on the right. The bougf
were long , slender and flexible ; soon the
began to bend. The she-bear follows
Robert , the he-bear went after Hawkln
Farther and farther out they crept , and moi
and moro the boughs bent downward.
Although the common black bear of tl :
couth Is not large , when compared with tl
western grizzly , It Is by no means Inslgnll
pant In size , a weight of 300 pounds belli
not unusual , The combined burden of be
and bear was , therefore , quite trying upo
the strength ot the bough , which. If It brok
would tumble the two Into a heap on 0
ground. Indeed , a cracking nolee li
Robert know that his support was actual !
giving1 way at the base.
The distance to tl-e ground was abet
twenty-five feet ; It would be a dangeroi
fall , even If the bear counted for nothlni
And the fall came. A loud ripping of woe
was followed by a sudden downward sv.ee ]
and Robert knev that he was going swlftl
earthward ; but the bough wa tough. It dl
Dot snap la two. Halt bending , halt breal
Ing , It swung down almost parallel with the
jole of the tree , and the boy , losing his hold ,
toll headlong. By great good luck he struck
upon a thick lied of old leaves and was not
badly hurt.
Springing to his feet , his first Impulse
was to run away , but a cry from his brother
who was still up In the tree , changed his
mind. Just then , moreover , ho discovered
that his bear had not fallen with him , but
was clinging for dear life to the dangling
bough overhead. Then he bethought him
of hie gun , which lay almost within reach.
Quick as a flush he telzed It. set the hair
trigger , cocked It , aimed and fired. His
shot was true. The she-bear fell , hit
through the brain , and died almost Instantly
Success nerved Robert to further action.
Hawkins' gun lay near ; ho picked It up
hastily and prepared to ehoot the other bear ,
which , meantime , had seized Hawkins * left
foot with Its powerful teeth.
But now came the moment of extreme
peril. Robert took careful aim and touched
the trigger ; the cock snapped Ineffectually
and a glance showed that the Hint had fallen
out of the hammer and was lost.
To hesitate or lose a moment more than
the least possible time would be fatal to
Hawkins , who was crying out with pain.
Robert's mind worked as swiftly as the exi
gency demanded. He sprang to his own gun ,
wrenched the flint out , forced It Into the
hammer of Hawkins' weapon and aimed once
more. "Click1" went the lock. Ho KIW
plenty of sparks , but the gun did not fire. He
had forgotten to reprlme It. Ills hand
trembled almost spasmodically while he
poured fresh powder Into the pan.
All this time the bear was chewing away
on Hawkins * foot , which was fortunately shod
In very strong leather. And now the gun
fired , Its report ringing far through the wood ,
but the bear was not killed , albeit , It fell
badly hurt to the ground and Hawkins with
It. Robert saw that his shot had only
wounded the great snarling , frothing animal ,
and the desperation of the moment made him
reckless. He clubbed his brother's gun , and
then began a terrible struggle. Robert was
a strong bay , and , seeing the Imminent danger
of his brother , gave him almost sjperhuman
energy. He smashed the stock oft the gun
at the first blow , then he swung the heavy
Iron barrel time after time , with all his
might , upon the wounded creature's head.
Finally he killed It.
Hawkins was unable to walk much , his
foot was so lacerated ; and besides , the fall
had Injured one of his shoulders. - They
finally reached home , however , and both
lived to tell their bear story to their grand
children.
Fletcher Kills and Robert went Hack and
skinned the two bears and the cubs as well.
MAUHIC THOMPSON.
.N AT 'I Hi : i.AI'1 TAL.
'liuixlnnt ' Outdoor I.lfo the llulo tn
Gall Hamilton says : "Tho only difference
between children and grown people Is that
children are not grown up. "
Nowhere Is this better Illustrated than at
the capital , where our little folks are all the
fashion and are early taught the social eti
quette of their mammas.
It Is the glory of Washington that fathers ,
mothers and children love the fresh air , and
abundant outdoor life Is the rule , not the ex
ception.
The delicious softness of the air , the many
parks , the smooth roads , make It an en
chanted city of springtime , of flowers , trees
and vines for little men and little women.
They may live In stately houses , have very
costly playthings , have busy fathers and
mothers who fill high public places , but
they are dally to be found under the green
trees , on the country roads , or In the beauti
ful capltol grounds and parks.
Lady 1'auncefote says : "Nothing Is more
perfect In America than the freedom , good
manners and beauty of the little people ol
Washington. "
Of course , the more refined and watchful
the mother , the greater care Is used In
choo lng an attendant. Mrs. Dahlgren , Mrs.
Lament and many others tell me that of all
service In one's household the nurse Is the
most carefully selected and receives the
highest wages.
With safety and dignity our young people
drive and walk without danger or Insult ,
In no way does It detract from the dellcacv
or manner ot girls and boys to drive theii
handsome carts , wagons and phaetons
themselves.
Nellie Grant Is well remembered and love * ]
as the * merry little driver of fine horses ; am'
our most daring small horsemen and horses
women are children of secretaries , senator :
and millionaires.
The etiquette of riding , driving or walkIng -
Ing Is the same for children as for thcli
e'dera. It Is good form to touch or lift th (
hat , to smile or bow In quick return foi
llko courtesy. Children are , however , noi
expected to speak first.
Master Edward McLean was met the othei
day whllo driving his four-in-hand by ar
old friend of his grandfather's , General Beale
Little Ned clutched all the reins In one
hand , snatched off his cap and bowed.
"Pcllto as his grandfather , " the frlenO
remarked.
Master Gould Lincoln despises a touch ol
his cap tn courtesy ; oft It comes , Ms heat
bows , with the old fashioned manner of the
Goulds and the courtliness of his dlgnlfiec
fathei.
Years ago the three little lads of Senatoi
Halo were eo marked In their recognition ol
people and politeness on the street that Mr
Bancroft ea'.d of them , "Mary Chandler1 !
lads do her honor , and their fine old grandfather -
father , Zack Chandler. They know thai
manners come from the heart. Runs litho
the blooJ. "
One social custom of which we are Justlj
proud Is the outdoor companionship of dis
tinguished men and their children. In the
past Vice President Morton and his prettj
daughters. Mr. Blalno and Mis3 Hattle. Hcnrj
Cabot Lodge and his daughter , the Brazlllar
minister , Senor Mendonca , with his linml
some , dark eyed Spanish children , all wcl
mounted , galtoplnc over the concrete road :
ith ity
o
IV
IVd
n
iO
iOy
irIs
irg
Is
it
1-
Tlin CARLISLC CHILDREN.
or through the green , wooded country , hav
been greatly admired , and today nothing I
moro beautiful than the grave , gray halrc
fathers , diplomats , officials and politician
riding , walking or driving beside their wld
awake boys and glrld. Thus they easll
learn all the grace and manner of meetln
and saluting their elders. They draw th
brldlo rein quickly , wheel about and rlJ
close to the lady or gentleman speaking t
them ,
General Logan's small grandson once me
the president , who was driving Into the ctt
from the Soldiers' Home. Logan , mounte
nn his wild Mexican pony , quick as a lias
wheeled about , snatched oft his cap , rod
alongside the big carriage , and shoute
"Good morning , Mr. President , " and a
quickly was oft.
The president told the story to Genera
Logan , and laughingly added , "Your llttl
chap most took my breath away with hi
eafco and manners ! "
Mrs. John G. Carlisle , who Is a woman o
pure , strong character , good sense and m :
affected speech , sail to me not long age
"Although there Is much vanity and foi' '
among our young people of today , they wer
never lovelier , more refined , and courteous
In Uui eighteen years of my life at the capl
tal I see great Improvement In their wayi
As I work for and with them In my ow
parlors and In public places I find them de
llghtful and polite , " Small "John 0. " Is
flm > . manly little lad of C , and with his tn
pretty listers , Jane and Laura , do honor t
their grandparents , and to the gentle , care
tul training ol th lr young mother an
fathef. They arc unaffected , ( Jfl'Bhtful ' chll
drcn.
The little * on of Chief Justice Fulfe'r , UK
Thurbcrs , Lamonti , HoKy 'Smith's son
Marlon , and hosts ot othefs among our of
ficial families : are splendid examples ot the
well-bred , courteous children of the capital
whose mothers are careful and tender , and
who we believe will some day see these
same free , merry wide awake boys and girls
fill positions ot trust and honor In our coun
try.
Till ! Dl.lt .U.IA AT tO.W.VB.VC'C.'irn.V T.
P. L. Stanlon In Atlanta Constitution.
Hitch lip the ox team , Johnny , nn' drlvi
v 'em to the gate :
For me nn' jer mother's goln' to see Mol
graduate ;
' ' ' nn' Sally i
An' Jeiin'H n-bnkln' biscuits ,
a-sllcln * hum.
An' I'm Just so proud o' Molly that I elon'
know vvlieru I nml
Ycr mother rnlped the chickens Urn
bought her books ; nnd sweet
To jne v\n the dally Inbor In the summer :
turnln' hent ,
When I thought of her bright eyes beamln *
nn' said to myself : "I'll stntc
Thnr nln't no gnl In the country so flttei
to graduate ! "
So I plowed In the summer punshlno , nn
worked In the winter's cold ;
An' I bought her the finest dresses Hint eve
the store men Hold ;
An' I'll see her there , with her bright
sweet eyes , like stars In the tvvlllgh
late ;
An' nmybe there'll be some tears In mini
when I see her graduate !
I never wa < ! much on Inrnln' for in ;
means was mighty small ;
Hut I reckon when Molly corner back homi
she'll know enough for all ;
An' thnr ain't n gul In Georgy , though yoi
hunt for 'em soon and late ,
That'll look as sweet as Molly when Bh *
cornea to graduate !
JMl'IKTIKS ,
San Francisco Post : A noted evangelist
having stayed over in nne of those southwes
towns where the hotel keeper depends upoi
the disconnection of trains for a livelihood
fell Into the following talk with the land
lord :
"You've got a good town here , haven'
you ? " he said. ,
"Wo think so , " replied the host , dlplo
matlcally.
"Business seems to bo lively. "
"Yes , we're enjoying a boom. "
"It appears to bo improving rapidly. "
"That's what. "
"You don't have any lynchlngs here , d (
you ? "
"Not llko we used to. "
"I've heard that It was once very bad li
that line. "
"Well , yes , we used to have a hanglni
now and then , but It's been a mighty loni
time now since we had one. "
"When was the last one ? "
The landlord studied a moment , am
counted on his fingers.
"I ain't shore , " he said at last , "but
think It will be two weeks day after to
morrow. "
Harper's Round Table : A well know :
American clergyman went Into a barber shoi
one morning , and , being somewhat of i
Joker , said to the barber : "My friend , yo\ \
may cut my hair as short as you wouh
llko my sermons to be. "
The barber Immediately got out his raze
and proceeded to shave the doctor's head
"Hold on ! " cried the doctor. "Are yoi
going to take It all off ? "
"You told me to , doctor , " said the barber
"I don't want any of your sermons. "
Chicago Tribune : "I oldn't think your eer
man this morning was up to your usua
standard , Alfred , " said his wife , as the twi
were on their way home from church.
"I know Is wasn't , Caroline , " replied thi
Rev. Dr. Fourthly. "It was not Intended ti
be. I expect to make a special effort ncx
Sunday morning and I want It to seem brll
llant by contrast. "
New York World : Deacon Dogood ( of th
mission board ) And how did you fincXevan
gellzatlon had progressed among the be
nlghtcJ ? Wo have spent vast sums In thos
parts and made many converts , I know.
Returned Traveler Well , that might be
But the only real Christians 1 saw out ther
were heathens !
Indianapolis Journal : The parson was pray
Ing for rain.
"Do you really bleeve he Is In arnest ?
whispered Soapleis Jones.
"You bet lie Is , " replied Rubberneck Bill
"I bet him $40 agin his mule that w
wouldn't have no rain for six weeks yet. "
A bad break In a curate's sermon Is re
ported In the Church Times. Af'er nppcal'n '
to the old with "And you old men with you
hoary head , " he turned to the young me
with the DI peal "AnJ you young me
with your blooming cheek. " He tried t
change the phase but It was too late.
.P.IM//OA& run .w/.v.
The very latest thing .in underwear Is t
have undershirt , drawers and hose of th
same color and material. Blue and brow :
silks and lisle thread are the favorites.
The stick must now bo carried handle up
ward. The shepherd's crook , dark , plal
wood , with single silver band and tassel , I
smart , nnd the plain stick of polished wood
with round silver top , with monogram , 1
good form for older men. The crook I
small at the end , like a tiny snake.
The dress shirt Is made with two or thre
button holes , standing collar and plain line
bosom. Indeed , those who can afford It In
slst on the whole shirt being made of linen
Collars and cuffs should be attached to th
shirt , although Fomo men wear the shir
with cuffs , but not the collar , attached.
In ties one can give reign to the wlldcs
faricy. Club ties are- worn with fane ;
shirts , and even with white ones , at all time
and seasons , until early candle light. Thes
are lied double or In a careless bow , an
the smartest are the blue foulards will
figures in retl or heliotrope.
In the summer eeason dealers consider th
neglige shirt the best stock they can carry
The loud patterns of two or three year
back have been relegated to the man c
exact taste and poor judgment , althoug !
there Is still great variety In color and de
sign.
sign.Some
Some men recognize but two forms c
evening dress for Informal occasions , con
slstlng of black trousers and wa stcoat. wit
the Tuxedo or Cowes Jacket , and the forme
evening dress , of which the swallow-tall coa
Is the conspicuous feature.
The morning coat , which Is something be
tween the sack and the cutaway , Is an Eng
llsh Innovation , and may or may not becom
popular. Any number of them are belli
brought out by the tailors In black cheviot o
In gray.
The sack suit differs but little from year t
year. This season the coat Is cut short an
Is very nearly square behind. It Is ptngU
breasted and has three buttons. The materh
for the most part Is cheviot , tweed or Scotc
mixture , and the most desirable colors ar
gray or brown.
Gentlemen should wear but little jewtlrj
and very little of that should be seen. Th
best style In sleeve buttons Is dull orpo
Ished gold , with monogram , and for evemn
wear white enamel. One ring Is permlsslbli
and should be a seal or plain gold. Th
watch U carried on a chain In the Insid
trousers pocket , chains , charms , seals , etc
being stamped as vulgar.
In straw hats the designer has taken upo
himself the liberty of shuvlng oft about a
Inch of the picturesque broad brim whlc
prevailed so much last season , and has aU
heightened the crown. A fashionable hat I
In split sennit , with a two and three-quarte
Inch brim , and with a black band , whlcl
however , may be varied In color. Light b'.u
and dark red are permissible In canjunctlo
with black and white.
Till ! SAfliitf 1'L.ICK ,
( Written for The Ilee. )
When purple , misty , curtains fall
Hcfore the evening's golden wnll.
And Hhnil'wy forms rise up and stand
A-beckonlng with outstretched hand ,
The tiny toddler hides his face
And seeks thru best and safest place ,
Ills mother's arms.
When later cornea the specter , Orlef ,
And steals our treasures like n thief.
And benrs them from our aching sight
And leaves us In n darker night ,
There Is no other solace , none ,
Except the little child's , to run
To mother's arms.
Though blest be all the ties of life.
Of brother , sister , husband , wife.
The dearest IH the love that bends
Over helplesH Infancy , It Bends
A deeper root Into our touH ,
It Is the goal of earthly goals ,
Our mother's arms.
-ISABEL. niCHGY.
NOT A HANDY II1IXC TO HAVE
* i
Tbo Experience of > a Man Who Had on
Elephant dnllfs ) Hands ,
*
EASY TO FEID , UGLY TO HANDL
Tttko Water Coiliiutljr..mul | Strniice'r ' Sen-
Rlttte to It * Chill Their rrlcn < lilil | " nml
Kiuiilllri The1 Diuiger of Hull.
tiling iiu lilcplmiit.
* X
( Copj right. 1805 , by 8. R TitcClurc , Limited. )
Considering the enorm'ous strength an clc-
pliant Is able to exert for hours at n time
and the comparatively small amount of food
necessary to maintain this Immense energy ,
one realizes that In this curious animal
nature has produced a most economical ma
chine. A hundred pounds of hay every
twenty-four hours Is all tin. an elephant
eat ? , with the exception of twenty-five pounds
of bran every Sunday. Four horses will cat
100 pounds of hay every day and require a
large quantity of oats besides. Hut one
elephant will do more work than twenty
horses. Many a time In the history of the
Darnum show It has happened In rainy
weather that the big rhlnocerous wagon
weighing seven tons has sunk so deep In the
mud Unit four teams of eight horses each
have strained vainly In their harness , trying
to extricate It. Then word has been sent to
George Conklln , the elephant trainer , and
"liabo" or "Mandy" have come shuffling up
and with a single push from the base of
their trunks , lifted the stranded wagon out
of the mire. An elephant will do the work
of a steam engine at a cost of $2 a day foi
fuel In the shape of hay and all the water
he wants to drink.
ELEPHANTS AIIB HARD DRINKERS.
Although small eaters elephants are great
drinkers , requiring about fifty buckets full
each day. They are watered at 7:30 : o'clock
In the morning nnd 3 o'clock In the after
noon In most shows. Three or four of them
arc led out at the same time and allowed to
drink from a large tub Into which a hose
discharges from a big water cart. It Is a
strange sight to sec them dunk. The long
trunks are first lowered Into the water ,
which Is sucked up until they are full. Then
the trunk Is curved back Into the mouth
and the water , amounting to about a bucket
ful , is dlbcharged Into the big , pink cavern
usually without spilling a drop , but some
times with much slobbering.
Elephants are not only great water drink
ers , but they love to be In the water and
can BWitn all day without much fatigue.
When a circus Is on the road It Is customary ,
whenever water is available , to let the herd
enjoy a wash and a swim , the only troublp
being that It Is not always easy to get them
to leave the water. The keepers allow only
a few of the animals to swim at one time
and adopt the precaution of keeping a chain
fastened to one of the legs eo that In case
of rebellion the end of this chain can bt
made fast to another elephant , on the bank
and the truant animal dragged ashore
whether he will or no. Another complica
tion likely to present Itself when the ele
phants are allowed to swim Is that two ot
the males will get to fighting or that a male
and n female will get to love making.
Water. It seems , Is the favorite ground alike
for elephant warriors and elephant lovers.
EASILY CHILLED IN THE WATER.
Although elephants are regular water dogs
and can ewlm for many miles wlthoul
fatigue , cold water chills them very quickly
and s ems to overcome their powers. An un
fortunate Instance of this sort occurred In
1SS7 when the winter quarters of the Bar-
num show at Bridgeport were destroyed by
lire. A great many of the animals were
burned to death , while others escaped Into
the surrounding country , among the latter
being the elephant "Hachael , " who ran
trumpeting down to the beach wild with
terror. So frightened was she that she
plungeJ Into the bay , regardless of the bitter
season , and began swimming straight out to
pea. The lighthouse people saw her plunging
along a mile and a half out , but she soon
began to swim feefbly and presently her
efforts relaxed and she went down , over
come by the cold. The next morning her
body drifted ashore nnd Is still preserved In
the Bridgeport museum.
When In the water elephants swim very
low and frequently let themselves sink down
entirely beneath the surface. They are very
fond of splashing about with , their trunks
and blowing up great streams of water like
fountains. A bis elephant swimming out at
sea might easily be mistaken for a whale !
One of the most aggressive elephants In
the water Is the famous "John L. , " who
posed for years in the Forepaugh show as the
sacred white elephant , his tough hide having
been artistically painted every morning with
a pinkish mixture. Ordinarily "John L. " IE
a most peaceful and playful elephant , being
a great favorite with the children , from
whom he takes peanuts and popcorn all day
long and always asks for more. But once In
the water he Is consumed with a desire to
fight , and always makes for poor old "Rub
ber , " an ugly bow-legged elephant old
enough to be his mother , who for some un
explained reabon Is cordially hated by the
whole herd ,
"It would be a bad day for 'Rubber , ' sir , "
said one of the keepers , "If 'John L. ' over
got at her In the water. 1 think he'd
knock the stuffing out of her. "
FRIENDSHIPS AND ENMITIES.
In the course or related visits to the ele
phant quarters I Invariably noticed this sama
peculiarity about the elephant "Rubber , "
that she seemed to be an object of universal
aversion and detestation. She Is one of the
eight dancing elephants of the old Fore
paugh herd , who do a quadrille In various
fancy steps twice a day in the ring. At the
public performances this general dislike for
"Rubber" Is apparent , even her partner ,
"Topsy , " seeming to shun her and holding
away from her as far as possible , sometimes
THE END
. . 'TOMORROW . .
may interest you to know that during the
past three weeks we did cut up exactly
Yards of Cloth
which if placed in one continuous length -would
reach clear4 Council Bluffs.
( The profits were not so long ) but we were
not expecting profits ,
You Will Have Another Chance Tomorrow to
Order a $15 Suit
From fabricsMvhich were bought to sell at $28 and $30.
The assortment isn't stingy , and you're indeed hard to please if
you fail to find a desirable pattern.
Trousers for $4.
Hundreds to select from worth $6 , $7 and $8.
If we fail in pleasing you in cloth fit trimmings or workmanship - *
ship we'll not take your money.
SOY
Soutli South
St.- St.
In the water the keeper can get them all to
come out very easily If he can only persuade
"Babe" to lead the way , so much do they
love her. "Topsy , " one of the worst elephants
of all , who has knocked out several men. Is
simply crazy for "Babe" and would go wild
with rage If any ono should strike her. In
fact , there Is not on elephant In the herd
who would not fight for "Babe" If ehe were
In trouble. I remember a pretty experiment
ono of the keepers used to make very often.
He would stand In front of "Topsy" and
call out :
'Which Is 'Babe , ' 'Top ? ' Where Is 'Babe , '
Top ? ' "
Instantly "Topsy" would seem to prick
up her ears , and swinging her trunk around
past "Rubber. " who stood next , would twist
it affectionately around "Babe's" trunk or
rub It against "Babe's" forehead.
"Topsy , " while n very troublesome ele
phant , Is one of the best workers and the
most Intelligent of them all and leads the
eight In the dance , walking around the ring
on her knees. "Topsy" has a broksn tall ,
this Injury having been Inflicted , so they
say , by Allan Forepaugh , who one day flew
Into a rage at some bit of mischief done by
"Topsy" and he struck her eo hard with a
stake as to break her tall.
DANGER IN HANDLING ELEPHANTS.
There Is more danger in taking care of
elephants than Is generally supposed. New
men ere especially liable to mishaps , largely
because they think the elephant Is much
easier to understand than Is really the cabc
The day before Barnum'fl circus opened In
New York last spring the big elephant ,
"Tip , " caught a new hand , Robert Ayres , In
his trunk , twisted his body between his huge
tusks , snapping his leg and with an easy
toss hurled him against the wall with such
violence that the man lay in Bellevue hospi
tal for two months afterward. Just why ele
phants have this animosity against new men
is not clear , but the fact is well established.
Carelessness accounts for many of the acci
dents , however. An experienced keeper never
trusts an elephant or i > llows himself to be
taken off his guard. More than one poor
fellow new at the business has paused In
Olf
ELEPHANTS DUINKINO.
with the result of spoiling the appearance of
the set. Whenever ' 'JoeBeatty , the danc
ing master , calls out to the elephants , "Gen
tlemen to the right , , svvjng your partners , "
the tabooed "Rubber , " U scornfully left be
hind by "Topsy , " wlio switches at her ma
liciously with her trunk and sometimes
showers her with Bawdust In token of con
tempt.
o The hatred against this poor old black
sheep ot the herd Is even moro apparent
r when the animals art feeding In their quar
ters. There "Rubber" stands between
o "Topsy" and "Babe'who not only steal her
hay , but strike her1 constantly with their
trunks and dig their tusks Into her flanks
( for even the .Temalo elephants have ele
mentary tusks at the corners of their
mouths ) , the result being that "Rubber"
spendsabout half her time with her head
turned toward the wall and her hindquarters
out like a bad pupil sent Into the corner In
disgrace by a teacher.
It Is a remarkable thing that not only Is
" " the other
"Rubber" thus unpopular among
elephants , who would beat her to death If
they had a chance , but she Is dlsllkctl by all
the grooms and trainers , who call her "that
nigger elephant , " and claim that she has bad
eyes , Is greedy and In general Is a vicious
beast , although these bad qualities exist
more than half In their imaginations. "Rub
ber" Is disliked lust as some- people are dis
liked , because of come Indefinable aversion
that they create.
Just as "Rubber" ' Is universally disliked
so the elephant "Habo" Is a favorite among
all the elephants. When the animals are
his work of feeding or cleaning for a chat
with a companion only to have his talk or
laughter Interrupted by a sudden seizure In
the powerful trunk , an experience no man
ever forgets if ho survives It.
Then the attendants make the mistake of
being too kind to elephants. Rough treat-
metu Is what they need , with sharp com
mands , a kick or a blow now or then , and
above all no petting. It Is always dangerous
for a keeper to give dainties to his elephants ,
and even the general public In doing EO are
fortunate In having a railing be
tween themselves and the formid
able trunks. Not that the ele
phants are more treacherous or maliciously
disposed toward the one who feeds than
toward other persons , but they have singu
larly retentive memories and having- received
an apple or handful of peanuts from a person
they rather expect the eamo attention when
that person patses again. And , not receiving
It they are apt to reach out their trunks In
well meant but dangerous reminder. A new
keeper , for Instance , having been In the
habit of giving an elephant some tidbit ,
pasees by hurriedly Intent on something
else and forgets his usual attention. But
the elephant does not forget , not he. Out
shoots the ponderous trunk. The animal
means no harm , perhaps , but the result U
that the keeper has several ribs broken , his
spine fractured or his internal organs de
ranged. There Is 'much similarity between
an elephant's well meant caress and the
blow of a pile driver !
CLEVELAND MOFFETT.
A newspaper called the Empty Bottle has
been founded In Houston , Tex.
-You've Got a Dollar--
Perhaps three of'em , but have
you a good rocker ? No ? Then
invest those three dollars in
one of our nice cobbler seat
rockers , made in antique oak
or curly birch , and you will
have a good one.
Dewey i Stone f uroihre Co.
11(5-1117 ( Farnem Sf , Established 1864.
= j [ 11 IULJLJL _ ] [
Mental Alertness
depends very largely on the physi
cal condition. Sluggish blood
= dulls the brain. A Ripans tabule
1 1
after meals will clear away the fogs
= * in short order.
nipan > TabulM : Bold by drurcliti , or by ma a
If the nrice ( ro cnt a Taoit l unt to The III-
pans Chemical Company , No. 10 tipruc * ! . , N. f.
LAFAYETTE
Lila Hlanctonka , Minn.
St'UHonot IB'.i.'i brirliiH
Juno ' "JmL LKAUINU
bUMMKU IIOi'KI , OK
THKWKST KTcryronni
menu tin ) luke Health-
fulloc-nllon. Allmcxloni
comforlH , dully COIICCTIH
Unu Hcenury. UeHt of ll hlns nml H.itliiiir on i hour front SI i.n ,1 in n it i ir > n Mm 111 i liolln. Pro-
nt.i H/I r'i1fl' in ? ? , jiuii. ' ! Y * . " ° I'C ° M"K. Oieai NurtMumII.dUI.ir . ST 1'AUI - ' . , until
PARROTS ! PARROTS !
The Parrot Season Just Commoiiclni-
Young Cuban and Mexican Parrots
$5.00 and $6.00 Each.
Scud lit Your Order Now nuil Secure a Oooil Selection.
Geisler's Bird Store
, Iol N lotu at. ,